How To Get Rid Of Pink Eye Fast Home Remedies

What Is Pink Eye?
- What Is Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?
Symptoms
- What Are Symptoms of Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?
Treatments & Home Remedies
- What Is the Treatment for Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?
Guide
- What Gets Rid of Pink Eye Fast? Topic Guide

What Is Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?

Antibiotics may clear up bacterial pink eye in a day or two (but make sure to take the whole course to prevent resistance). Viral and other causes of eye inflammation may take longer to resolve.

Pink eye (conjunctivitis) is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids and the whites of the eyes (the sclera).

The five main types of conjunctivitis include:

Viral
Bacterial
Allergic
Toxic (also called toxic keratoconjunctivitis)
Nonspecific, for example:
- Dry eye
- Irrigation after a chemical splash
- Foreign body irritation (e.g., dust, eyelash)

What Are Symptoms of Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?

Symptoms of pink eye (conjunctivitis) include:

Eye redness
Eye irritation
Eye discharge
- May be watery or thick
- May be white, yellow, or green
- Discharge continues to drain throughout the day
- The affected eye is frequently crusty and stuck shut in the morning
Burning, gritty, or sandy feeling in the eye
Cold symptoms may accompany viral conjunctivitis, such as
- Swollen lymph nodes (glands)
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
Itching of both eyes (allergic conjunctivitis)

What Is the Treatment for Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?

Treatment for pink eye (conjunctivitis) depends on the cause.

Viral conjunctivitis treatment includes:

Topical antihistamine/decongestant eye drops to relieve eye irritation
- Drops are usually available without a prescription
- Take care to avoid spreading the viral infection from one eye to the other
- Apply drops to the affected eye only, and wash hands thoroughly after application
Use warm or cool compresses as needed

Bacterial conjunctivitis treatment includes:

Antibiotic eye drops or ointment
Most cases go away on their own even if no treatment is used
Contact lens wearers should not wear lenses the first 24 hours of treatment, or until the eye is no longer red
Discard contact lens cases and disinfect contacts overnight or replace (if disposable)

Allergic conjunctivitis treatment includes:

Eye drops containing naphazoline-pheniramine, ketotifen, olopatadine, and others

Toxic conjunctivitis treatment includes:

Removal of the offending agent
Stop using any topical eye medications
- Don't stop taking any prescribed eye medications without first talking to your doctor, especially glaucoma drops, because increased eye pressure may cause permanent vision loss

Nonspecific conjunctivitis treatment includes:

Usually goes away on its own within a few days without treatment
Lubricant drops or ointments may ease symptoms as the eye heals

Some home remedies to get rid of pink eye symptoms fast include:

Use ibuprofen or over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers
Use lubricating eye drops (artificial tears)
- Do not use red-eye reducing eye drops, which can irritate eyes if you have pink eye, and can worsen symptoms
Use a warm compress on the eyes
Take allergy medicine or use allergy eye drops for allergic conjunctivitis

QUESTION

What causes dry eyes? See Answer

Reviewed on 2/23/2021

References

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/conjunctivitis-pink-eye-beyond-the-basics?search=Pink%20Eye&source=search_result&selectedTitle=2~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=2

https://www.southerncross.co.nz/group/medical-library/conjunctivitis-pink-eye-symptoms-treatment-prevention

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/conjunctivitis?search=Pink%20Eye&source=search_result&selectedTitle=4~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=4#H25

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/pink-eye-quick-home-remedies